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A few years ago, when I started this agenda, one of the reasons was because I was fed up to see everyone going all to the very same places, while not even considering other events sometimes more qualitative.

I think this trend is about to slowly fade away, even if some people may be disappointed by it if they still think that you can measure the success of an event by the number of people attending it. Of course, there’re still events like that, but nothing compares with what we’ve seen a few years ago.

I believe that we are starting a new era and the direct consequence of it is the fact that the I see fewer very exciting things (in my humble opinion). It looks like organisers are a bit discouraged by the splitting of the public.But we have to deal with this new reality: the Brussels public is very different from what it used to be only a couple of years ago and if you still believe that a good party is an overcrowded one, you need to reevaluate that, I guess.

So, who’s the Brussels public of 2016 and what it is looking for? Of course, I don’t have an answer to that question. I only know that its people are not the same, it’s a new period with new habits and tastes… To that fact, you need to add the geopolitics news (and its over mediatization) which has an impact on the way we’re now going out: people tend to be a bit more timorous and we tend to avoid more and more the crowd (probably until the Festival season kicks on again?).

What is the party feel and creation for people, like us, living in a more and more secure world… and from which it seems that freedom is going further away every day?
In our terrorised country, yet not under war, obsess as we are by our fear of the “other”, not really nostalgic of the past but yet with no real hope for the future: someone needs to be really optimistic and strong and with a real vision in order to be able to create something which will wake us up from our lethargic state.

I’ll keep going watching what is going on, what people do, how they have fun in Brussels this year… I hope I’ll be able to see the seeds of new enthusiastic things, and even new practices in art, music and even in citizenship.

Artist, musician, organiser, member of the public: I hope you will still feel free to create, party and organise things and whatever negative feeling you may have, you’ll burn it on a happy bonfire.

If you are a bit like me and love the independent project spaces scene (or “artists run spaces” or whatever name you give to those initiatives), you’ll be happy to hear that there’s a new one since several months now in Ixelles: it’s in the apartment of artists, one of them being the co-founder of the space: her name is Julie Kern-Donk. To be honnest, I’ve seen the space from the outside, thanks to the posters that they put in their facade for each event. But I get to know a bit more about it when I saw Julie at an exhibition she was part of recently. So she told me the good news and that made me really happy to know that!
I’ll go for sure this weekend for the next event which is a collaboration work with the public (you and me, yes!) and the artist Jean-Paul Thibeau.

If you are into illustrations: you should definitely check what the Galerie E² is doing and the numerous artist this initiative invite every time. This time, the event is held at the Cinema Nova where the artists will be showing their work, drinking beers, presenting their new book. As it’s a Galerie E² event, there’s also always a music side to the event.

If you have ever dreamed to become a sponsor of arts… here is your chance! For the amount of 100€ (it sounds a lot, but it’s actually not that much), you can get your ticket for the Benefit Party at the art Center La Loge (in what was a masonic temple). And maybe you’ll be the lucky one holding one of the ten tickets that would give you an artwork, even!

If you don’t know the Midpoint Café, in Vlaamsesteenweg (in front of the Walvis, near the Canal), here is a good opportunity to discover the little world of it thanks to a book.
The launch of the book is taking place during a short art festival called La Kermesse héroïque, organised in the continuity of an art residency of Belgian artists in Istanbul, by Europalia. The Festival takes place in Beursschouwburg and in the Midpoint Cafe.

CINE

If you understand French and are into urbanism questions and issues, you should check this new monthly event at Cinema Nova: every time one documentary followed by a discussion in order to get the thoughts of the public, inhabitants and trying to have a more egalitarian way of thinking city planning.
The first evening they will be screening a movie about the reconversion of industrial sites.

LIVE MUSIC

Café central has always a touch for obscure sounds like noise, post-punk or underground techno. If you’re into that you won’t be disappointed by this evening!
Don’t forget to bring your earplug, last time I went to a concert in that cafe, my ears were bleeding (not literally, don’t worry… but I left before the end of the set).

The concerts are taking place in a private event: so you are welcome to join, of course: think of leaving some tips at the entrance for the artsists and to bring your own booze as they don’t have a bar. Apart from that, the music sounds nice and there will even be some vegan food! Good news!

La Gommette noire is organising a concert evening at Barlok this time (after several other spots). Orage Plastique (that I really like) is on the lineup, together with other bands that I don’t know of (or don’t really like, which doesn’t mean they are not good!). It’s also a discovery night to come then… And you can even get a tatoo !!

If you always dreamed being able to dance on your rollers but are too afraid to fail (and fall down), you should try it this weekend at the Soul Inn: the venue is so small and the bar takes such a big place that you won’t have the choice but to keep your hands on it… so should enjoy a real Disco Roller party without the risks usually attached to it…

So here, I’m really curious to see if people will really come with their cats at a party made for them… I know I won’t be bringing my own cat, but it would be really hilarious and fun to see some cats around the Beurs!

The Bokal Royal is launching a new monthly party every second Friday. This week is the “episode 0” where you’ll be able to listen to some ecletcic sounds by DJ Klectik (yes, the name says it all). To be checked then…

If you’re more into the electro trend, you should definitely try one of the parties at this bar, near Grand Place called Epicerie Moderne. It can be very different from a night to another, depending on the guests and wich sub-genre they are into.

You can check other ideas on the calendar and if you like my articles and don’t want to miss any of them in the future, you can subscribe to the Newsletter (or eventually to the Facebook Page) !